Pretoria - Excitement is growing around the country as preparations to mark Madiba's 91st birthday on Saturday nears finalisation.
More celebrities and high profile personalities have pledged their support for Mandela Day and events are being planned around the country.
In response to the call to donate 67 minutes towards a worthy cause or making the world a better place on Mandela Day, President Jacob Zuma is expected to spend the day with older persons from all over the country at a service delivery outreach party in Ivory Park.
According to the Presidency, President Zuma will earlier in the day visit Madiba himself to express his birthday wishes.
The Minister of Social Development, Edna Molewa, said the older person's outreach programme at Ivory Park would honour Madiba through highlighting government services to older persons and will celebrate their service to their families and the country.
"It is designed to emphasise the fact that older persons should not be viewed as a burden to society, but as people who can and who still contribute immensely to the life of the nation in various ways," said the minister.
She further said that elderly people were treasures that should be honoured by all, just as Madiba is honoured.
The South African National Biodiversity Institute has also invited Minister Sonjica, to a tea party for 180 elderly people from Eersterust, Mamelodi, and the Pretoria City Centre, which will be held at the Pretoria National Botanical Gardens.
The Robben Island Museum, where Madiba spent 27 years of his prison sentence, is expected to hold a 67 minute programme, consisting of, among other things, tributes from Finance, Economic Development and Tourism MEC, Alan Winde; Cape Town Routes Unlimited (CTRU) CEO, Calvyn Gilfellan and Robben Island Interim CEO, Professor Henry Bredekamp.
Fifteen HIV and AIDS orphans from Nazareth House and 10 previously disadvantaged youth from the Department of Economic Development and Tourism's Access the Cape programme, are also to join in the celebrations and experience tourism at work in the destination.
A tree planting ceremony will also take place to symbolise Madiba's growing and lasting impact on the nation.
Robben Island Interim CEO, Professor Henry Bredekamp said the momentous celebration embodied the icon's life purpose and message. "We must remember to honour this every day. The country needs it now."
The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality in the Eastern Cape will prioritise disadvantaged communities and the elderly on Mandela Day.
Municipal spokesperson Kupido Baron said as part of their contribution, they will host a special event for the elderly and veterans, reinforcing the municipality's reputation as an institution that values and celebrates its elderly.
The municipality will use the historic day to position Nelson Mandela Bay as the cleanest destination by embarking on a massive cleaning exercise, with particular focus on the historically disadvantaged communities.
"Places identified are open public places and cemeteries in Emlotheni Memorial Park , KwaNobuhle Cemetery , Zwide Cemetery , KwaZakhele Cemetery , Salt Lake , Kleinskool, Helenvale, Motherwell/Ikamvelihle, Opposite Raymand Mhlaba, Police Station and Ekuphumleni Old Age Home," said Mr Baron.
The eThekwini Municipality has prepared a full day entertainment under the theme "Siyabonga Madiba," meaning Thank you Madiba.
There will be an exciting entertainment programme as well, confirmed artists include Sfiso Ncwane, Abanqobi, Amandla Cultural Group, uShaka Zulu, Indian Classic Dancers and many more.
Residents are expected to march from the city centre to City Hall.
Still in KwaZulu-Natal, staff volunteers from the Independent Development Trust (IDT) will help build a house in Mbuba village. They will be building a house for an orphaned family of three who currently live in a dilapidated mud rondavel.
The youngest of the family, Sibongile, approached the Jacob Zuma Foundation to build a house for the family. The Foundation, in turn, approached the IDT to volunteer its workers to build the house as its contribution to Mandela Day.
As a leading innovative development agency, the IDT has committed to completing the house in five days, starting on Monday. The house will be built using light steel material.
At the Mary Fitzgerald Square, in Johannesburg on Saturday local musicians and celebrities, carefully selected to reflect the diversity of all cultures, will honour Madiba
The performers are Taliphani (Venda dance troupe), TK Dancers (Tsonga dance), Sechaba, Winnie Khumalo, RJ Benjamin, Chomee, Arthur, Nhlanhla Nciza, Zamajobe, Kwela Tebza, Jonas Gwangwa, Kunle Ayo, DJ Sbu, Stoan Seate, Florence Masebe and Meshack Mavuso.
On this historic day, citizens of the world will be encouraged to dedicate 67 minutes of their time to do community work.
